Memorial Day 2005
Posted on 05/30/2005 6:41:17 AM PDT by Corin Stormhands
Weekly wrap-up of Virginia Campaign New. Post 'em if you got em...
April 11, 2005 Thread I
April 18, 2005 Thread II
April 25, 2005 Thread III
May 2, 2005 Thread IV
May 9, 2005 Thread VI
May 16, 2005 Thread VII
May 23, 2005 Thread VIII
FROM TODAY
A campaign conversion for Allen?
A switch on ethanol implies an attempt to court voters in Iowa, Democrats allege
by Peter Hardin
WASHINGTON -- From the state capital newspaper, farmers learned that Sen. George Allen, R-Va., was rethinking his stand on expanding the ethanol industry.
Candidates drum up support
They crisscross the state to meet voters and to remind them about the June primary
by Pamela Stallsmith
Before arriving at the Upper Mattaponi Tribal Pow-Wow in King William County yesterday afternoon, Viola O. Baskerville of Richmond had already attended two Baptist church services in Hampton Roads and planned to end the day in Portsmouth.
FROM YESTERDAY
(RAT) Candidate's recent arrest at shopping site raises debate over what is public space
by Carlos Santos
CHARLOTTESVILLE -- When Richard C. Collins was handcuffed and arrested this month for trespassing, he didn't think he would ignite a free-speech debate, especially one peculiar to suburban life.
Memorial Day pingage.
Party activists and political analysts expect a low turnout, so turning out supporters is key to victory. The biggest challenge is making sure voters know there's a primary in a little more than two weeks.
"People are aware of it, but it's not something that's prevalent in everyday conversation," said Ken Adams, chief of the Upper Mattaponi. "But it should be, because it affects everybody's lives. People pay more attention to the general election."
He has a very valid point there. Even my husband had totally spaced out the June 14th primary. It is so NOT on anyone's mind around here, or so it seems to me.
Attorney general race gets testy
McDonnell questions Baril principles; Baril wants financial data
by Tammie Smith
Stephen E. Baril, a Richmond lawyer, and Robert F. McDonnell, a member of the Virginia House of Delegates since 1992, have traded barbs in the past week.
Voters will have to choose a ballot
Both parties are holding primaries June 14, but don't worry, official says
by Tyler Whitley
Lawrence C. Haake III, the Chesterfield County registrar, said he told a group of prospective voters recently that when they vote in the June 14 primary, they will have to choose a Democratic ballot or a Republican ballot.
Attorney general candidates diverge on crime focus
RICHMOND — The two Republicans who want to be the state’s next attorney general agree that Virginia is already pretty tough on crime. That hasn’t stopped the candidates from promising to make it even tougher.
Primary information for Republicans and Democrats
The entire article consists of the following paragraph:
Republicans and Democrats are competing in separate primaries on June 14. The winners will square off this fall on Election Day, Nov. 8. Registered voters may cast votes in only one of the primaries. They will be asked at polling places whether they want to vote for Democrats or Republicans and given the corresponding ballot. The preference stated by voters is not considered a declaration of party loyalty, according to the state Board of Elections.
Tight race shows GOP divide in state
The position of lieutenant governor may not be a particularly influential job, but don’t tell that to two Republicans who are running for the post this spring.
Well it looks like the choice for Lt Gov is pretty clear at least. Bolling has the NRA nod and an anti-tax record, Connaughton hangs out with the moderates.
Personally I do not understand the reason behind the top 2 spots not being one ticket. I dealt with it for 20 years in Delaware, and never did a get a straight answer as to why it's two different races..........but that is neither here nor there.
I'm leaning towards Bolling also, primarily over taxes.......he admits he wants the top slot and I would much prefer to see a fiscal conservative there than a moderate. I'm also inclined to agree with his assessment that anyone saying the top spot is not the ultimate goal for running for number 2 is not being totally honest.
In all my years in politics I have only seen that to not be true once. The 1988 Lt. Gov race in Delaware. But that was only because of the incestuous nature of politics in a small state like Delaware. The Dem congressman knew he couldn't beat the incumbent R Governor........so it was set up for the 1992 election and the R-Gov bsically switched elected seats with the D-congressman...and the GOP grudingly offered up the State Treasurer as the scrificial lamb
Bolling and Connaughton pretty much have identical positions on the issues despite what you hear from either of their camps. The race is getting nasty because there really isn't much daylight between the two of them, so they've got to go negative. I backed Jay Katzen for Lt. Gov. 4 years ago (back before everyone else -- Randy Forbes, Bill Bolling, etc. -- dropped out of that race), so that tells you were I'm coming from. They're both good guys who will do a good job if elected, but Connaughton is a better campaigner. Bolling is more like Bob Dole in this regard, unfortunately, so I could see him having a tougher time in the general election, especially if he goes up against a young, supposedly telegenic, northern Virginian like Chap Peterson. Geographically, Bolling doesn't help Kilgore's ticket whereas Connaughton, although south of the Occaquon, could help Kilgore in NoVA. I've got friends in both the Bolling and Connaughton camps, so I'm not worried about either's conservative bona fides. Normally, I'd follow the NRA and Club for Growth's recommendations, but I think that if Connaughton wins they'll be just as happy in the end.
I'm actually leaning towards Connaughton because not only did he cut my property tax rate by 16 cents per $100 this year, but my actual tax liability is going DOWN by nearly $200 this year while the value of my home increased by $58,000. As a fiscal conservative myself, I like those numbers!
To be perfectly honest the only reason I'm leaning toward Bolling is totally subjective. At the 25th Anniversary of the Accomac county Republican women's luncheon, Bolling at least sent a representative to talk with people when he couldn't make it, Connaughton didn't even do that.
I realize this is Virginia - but I basically grew up on Delaware politics and I am used to candidates showing up at party functions - I realize in a state the size of Virginia that is impossible and so I have no problem with representatives (surrogates).
As I said - it's a totally subjective reason, only based upon my personal experience. I've been paying close attention to what everyone on these threads have been saying about all the various races -- very close attention.
I totally understand your stance regarding the property taxes............but I am in the enviable position of paying my property taxes tomorrow, and they are the same amount as I paid last December, last June, the December before and the June before that. Apparently there are enough folks buying 1/4 million dollar water front properties and building million dollar homes that Accomac County has not had a need to mess with property taxes in the past few years. Ours will go up by the December bill, I'm sure - we're on the radar screen because of permits for renovations :)
all that being said - the LtG race is not on many radar screens - heck most people don't even realize there is a primary next week. It is not registering over here in the hinterlands of the Eastern shore :)
I don't know about the rest of Virginia but I'm voting for the adult in this contest.
Attorney general hopefuls question ethics
Two candidates trade charges about legal practices
by Tammie Smith
The two lawyers running for the Republican nomination for attorney general accused each other of ethical lapses during dueling news conferences yesterday.
There are days I miss a good ol' convention floor fight.
Candidates run hard, raise record amounts in bids for GOP lieutenant governor nod
by Pamela Stallsmith
An early entry and a late arrival have made the fight for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor one of this year's most competitive races.
Kaine radio ad features Holton's lilt Democrat hopes his father-in-law will help him woo rural voters
by Jeff Schapirio
Timothy M. Kaine, the Democratic candidate for governor, is enlisting his prominent father in-law's Southwest Virginia accent in pitching for votes in the countryside.
Thinking Virginians haven't listend for Linwood Holton since the 70s.
Kilgore pledges school funding
Opponent Kaine has been questioning his commitment, record
by Tyler Whitley
Republican gubernatorial candidate Jerry W. Kilgore pledged yesterday to fully fund the state's Standards of Quality in education.
Candidate: Kilgore should quit as registrar
by Rex Bowman
The campaign for Del. Terry Kilgore's House seat is getting personal in Scott County.
Oh good grief! Is this really all the Democrats have?
First they attack the Kilgore's accents. Now they attack their mother.
Deeds: Use GPS on sex offenders
Candidate wants them to wear tracking devices to always monitor location
by Tyler Whitley
State Sen. R. Creigh Deeds of Bath County, the Democratic candidate for attorney general, wants to put global positioning system tracking devices on registered sex offenders.
Unless you're also tracking potential victims, how would this help?
CAMPAIGN 2005
Kaine backs farm tax breaks Courting rural votes, he calls for end of estate tax; Kilgore questions record
by Jeff Schapiro
Continuing his appeal for rural votes, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Timothy M. Kaine yesterday tromped around a rain-soaked Goochland farm, pledging tax breaks and other incentives to keep family-owned cropland from sprouting suburbs.
Robb: Soviet-era spy tactics failed
What worked well in past was inadequate in today's world, he says
by Carlos Santos
Former Sen. Charles S. Robb co-chaired a presidential commission on U.S. intelligence.
First they attack the Kilgore's accents. Now they attack their mother.
I couldn't stop laughing when I read that article yesterday. The Dems sound like a bunch of 2nd graders.
Kaine continues to outraise Kilgore
To date, Democrat has $10 million; GOP hopeful, $8.5 million
by Tyler Whitley
Democrat Timothy M. Kaine continues to outraise Republican Jerry W. Kilgore in the race for governor.
It's a bit misleading, since a big chunk of it came from this man...
Check out Kaine Is Not Able
(and send me stuff)
sheesh...I gotta learn to format posts...
It's early - we forgive you :)
Is Tyler Whitley a Jeff Shapiro wannabe?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.